Could your small business benefit from a £1,000 grant from Dacorum Borough Council?

Budding entrepreneurs can apply for the 2017 Dacorum's Den, which has invested £50,000 in local business growth and created 35 jobs in the past five years.

This year's launch took place on Friday 31 March and was attended by more than 40 business representatives, who were keen to find out more about applying for the grant.Lesley Crisp, Assistant Team Leader, Strategic Planning and Regeneration at Dacorum Borough Council, said: "So far, Dacorum's Den has invested £50,000 in local business growth and helped to create 35 jobs.

"All the money for Dacorum's Den now comes from the generosity of our sponsors, who come from a wide range of local businesses, from IT, construction and business support."

Speaking at the event at The Forum, in Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Lesley added: "Our sponsors and judges also offer a package of mentoring and expertise which in many ways is worth much more."

The scheme, now in its sixth year, helps Dacorum-based companies with fewer than 20 employees and who turn over less than £1million per year.

One of last year's winners, employment law solicitor Peggy Barnard was awarded £1,000 for marketing support for her new practice, Barnard & Co Employment Law Solutions. She told the launch seminar that the investment had helped to generate £5,000 of income.

Another 2016 winner, Kimberly Woodcock, was awarded £2,500 for Spirit of the Old Town, which organises historical walks/plays in the old town area of Hemel Hempstead.She said: "I have never been so nervous as I was making the pitch to the judges but it was a great experience. There is now a community of Dacorum's Den winners and we support each other."

John Ellison, of JE2, based at Maylands Business Centre, has moved from being one of the winners to a sponsor. "I wanted to give something back," he said.Other local sponsors include Abode Bed, Gyron, Haspineall Collins and McDonald's.

The application deadline is Friday 19 May. A shortlist of entrants will be invited to put their ideas before a panel of judges led by Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning MP on July 7.